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Insomnia
Insomnia
by Jean Talleyrand, MD
F OUNDEROF MC
EDIANN
and Medical Marijuana
and Medical Marijuana
P
P finds to be very effective for sleep and doesn’t seem to cause a hangover
rimary Insomnia is a condition characterized by
— but it’s illegal.”
sleeplessness not derived from chemical or envi-
•In an interview on CNN, Dr. Clete Kushida, of the Stanford
ronmental causes. The primary symptom is an
University Sleep Clinic in Palo Alto, California was asked: “Do
inability for the patient in either getting to sleep or staying
asleep. you know if using marijuana can be linked to getting to sleep easier?
What are the pros and cons?” His reply was: “Obviously use of mari-
We have all experienced an overactive mind which will not juana is illegal. The problem with marijuana as a sleep aid, studies
release the body and allow it to rest. Insomnia affects 20-30% of have shown, is that it pro-
adults worldwide. It often occurs during times of stress and may duces poor sleep and amne-
be associated with altered neurochemicals known as the “sleep”
sia and also may be associ-
neurotransmitters (serotonin or GABA), or with increased stress ated with unusual behav-
hormones (cortisol) coursing through the bloodstream. Other forms iors during sleep.”
of sleeplessness may occur as a result of substance abuse or a
withdrawal condition, including withdrawal To date there is
from marijuana. Disturbance of not enough scientific
the biological clock, such as a information to draw
shift in time zones, or erratic any concrete conclu-
sions. Much of the con-
work patterns, or schedules
troversy involves the
can also result in insomnia.
Poor sleep habits often con- insidious nature of In-
somnia and how to
tribute to the problem.
cure it. Many pharma-
Other medical conditions
that create insomnia in- ceuticals or herbals
clude sleep apnea, restless that are used to help
legs, night sweats and pain. insomnia may also
create insomnia. A
S T benzodiazepene used
TANDARDREATMENT
After reviewing the in the elderly popula-
patient’s lifestyle, habits,
tion may cause insom-
diet, and bedtime rituals to nia and agitation. Often,
the use of a medicine to alleviate insomnia must be tailored to a
better understand possible
causes for Insomnia, most specific patient. This is the case with marijuana as medicine for
insomnia. Most patients who have found success using mari-
standard medical treatment
juana for insomnia report improved sleep with less drowsiness
includes prescribing benzo–
(or drug hangover) the next day, as compared to over the counter
diazepenes (Valium, Xanax)
or prescription medication. Some patients also report improved
or hypnotics (Halcion).
sleep with kava kava, melatonin or valerian. Discussion with a
Other medications which
could contribute to sleeplessness include antihistamines such as physician can help you choose the best medicine.
Benadryl, or antidepressants such as Prozac, Trazodone, Elavil. A A T
good physician will also suggest exercise to alleviate the stress of LTERNATIVEHERAPIES
Nutritional Interventions – Avoid stimulants, caffeine, tobacco,
daily life and increase serotonin in the blood. alcohol before bed, supplement with Melatonin, L-Tryptophan (an
M amino acid, pre-serotonin), warm milk
ARIJUANA
Marijuana’s use to help cure Insomnia has been a contro- Herbals – Valerian root (sedative), Kava-kava (sedative and
versial topic, and comes up frequently in the media and talk radio: relaxant), California poppy (sedative and relaxant), Passion flower
•At Health Central, Dr. Dean Edell was asked the follow-
(relaxant), Chamomile tea
ing question: “Is It Okay To Use Marijuana To Get To Sleep?“ His Additional treatments – Homeopathy • Cortisol reduction •
reply: “It would be perfectly legal for your husband to waste his money Biofeedback • Relaxation therapy • Meditation • Acupuncture •
on kava kava, or melatonin, or a whole bunch of other stuff that doesn’t Hypnosis • Sleep induction guided tapes/CDs.
work for sleep. The fact is, he’s spending money on an herb that evidence
30 www.gkmagazine.net
Insomnia
by Jean Talleyrand, MD
F OUNDEROF MC
EDIANN
and Medical Marijuana
and Medical Marijuana
P
P finds to be very effective for sleep and doesn’t seem to cause a hangover
rimary Insomnia is a condition characterized by
— but it’s illegal.”
sleeplessness not derived from chemical or envi-
•In an interview on CNN, Dr. Clete Kushida, of the Stanford
ronmental causes. The primary symptom is an
University Sleep Clinic in Palo Alto, California was asked: “Do
inability for the patient in either getting to sleep or staying
asleep. you know if using marijuana can be linked to getting to sleep easier?
What are the pros and cons?” His reply was: “Obviously use of mari-
We have all experienced an overactive mind which will not juana is illegal. The problem with marijuana as a sleep aid, studies
release the body and allow it to rest. Insomnia affects 20-30% of have shown, is that it pro-
adults worldwide. It often occurs during times of stress and may duces poor sleep and amne-
be associated with altered neurochemicals known as the “sleep”
sia and also may be associ-
neurotransmitters (serotonin or GABA), or with increased stress ated with unusual behav-
hormones (cortisol) coursing through the bloodstream. Other forms iors during sleep.”
of sleeplessness may occur as a result of substance abuse or a
withdrawal condition, including withdrawal To date there is
from marijuana. Disturbance of not enough scientific
the biological clock, such as a information to draw
shift in time zones, or erratic any concrete conclu-
sions. Much of the con-
work patterns, or schedules
troversy involves the
can also result in insomnia.
Poor sleep habits often con- insidious nature of In-
somnia and how to
tribute to the problem.
cure it. Many pharma-
Other medical conditions
that create insomnia in- ceuticals or herbals
clude sleep apnea, restless that are used to help
legs, night sweats and pain. insomnia may also
create insomnia. A
S T benzodiazepene used
TANDARDREATMENT
After reviewing the in the elderly popula-
patient’s lifestyle, habits,
tion may cause insom-
diet, and bedtime rituals to nia and agitation. Often,
the use of a medicine to alleviate insomnia must be tailored to a
better understand possible
causes for Insomnia, most specific patient. This is the case with marijuana as medicine for
insomnia. Most patients who have found success using mari-
standard medical treatment
juana for insomnia report improved sleep with less drowsiness
includes prescribing benzo–
(or drug hangover) the next day, as compared to over the counter
diazepenes (Valium, Xanax)
or prescription medication. Some patients also report improved
or hypnotics (Halcion).
sleep with kava kava, melatonin or valerian. Discussion with a
Other medications which
could contribute to sleeplessness include antihistamines such as physician can help you choose the best medicine.
Benadryl, or antidepressants such as Prozac, Trazodone, Elavil. A A T
good physician will also suggest exercise to alleviate the stress of LTERNATIVEHERAPIES
Nutritional Interventions – Avoid stimulants, caffeine, tobacco,
daily life and increase serotonin in the blood. alcohol before bed, supplement with Melatonin, L-Tryptophan (an
M amino acid, pre-serotonin), warm milk
ARIJUANA
Marijuana’s use to help cure Insomnia has been a contro- Herbals – Valerian root (sedative), Kava-kava (sedative and
versial topic, and comes up frequently in the media and talk radio: relaxant), California poppy (sedative and relaxant), Passion flower
•At Health Central, Dr. Dean Edell was asked the follow-
(relaxant), Chamomile tea
ing question: “Is It Okay To Use Marijuana To Get To Sleep?“ His Additional treatments – Homeopathy • Cortisol reduction •
reply: “It would be perfectly legal for your husband to waste his money Biofeedback • Relaxation therapy • Meditation • Acupuncture •
on kava kava, or melatonin, or a whole bunch of other stuff that doesn’t Hypnosis • Sleep induction guided tapes/CDs.
work for sleep. The fact is, he’s spending money on an herb that evidence
30 www.gkmagazine.net
